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Crista is the new restaurant that is in the old Beacon space, run by the same restaurant group, Tysons & Company. Chef David Chiddo oversees the menu and if you are fan of Beacon, TY Harbor, and Cicada, then you will feel at home here.

The interior has changed and the private room has moved from the side of the main dining room to behind the bar, much more intimate. On a recent lunch the energy was not as boisterous as in the past, but more relaxed with diners seeming to linger longer.

One thing that caught my eye when we were seated was the simple dish for bread on the table. It was handmade. I was impressed by many of the dishes that came out. The tableware is Kasama-yaki from Ibaraki. The table is much warmer with these artisan dishes. A nice nod to Japanese artisans.

We started with the tuna tartare with avocado and crispy papadams and a kochi jan sauce. A nice contrast of textures and flavors. I am a big fan of the TY Harbor Caesar salads and have a hard time resisting it.

I loved the Beacon burger and I love the Crista burger, which is an upgrade. The US Prime-grade chuck is ground fresh daily and the fries are new. The ketchup and mayonnaise is made in-house and is oishii.

If you love pork, be sure to try the Waton mochi-buta from Gunma. Japan has great pork and this is one of them. Simply grilled, this will spoil you for pork.

Brendhan, the manager, is very friendly and walked us through the menu. He also assembled the tuna tartare with papadams. The young pastry chef spent some time in NYC which is reflected in this life-changing brownie with caramelized bananas with a caramel ice cream.

Crista is a short walk from either Shibuya or Omotesando stations. There is a nice outdoor seating area that I would like to come back to with a girlfriend when it warms up a bit more. Crista’s brunch looks great. Kim chee fried rice, huevos rancheros,

Shake Shack, New York City’s great burger chain, is in Tokyo at two locations, Aoyama and Ebisu. The Ebisu location is next to the station. I’ve passed by many times and the line was always too long. I was lucky today when I passed as the line, while still long, it was nothing like I had seen before and I jumped in.

The current special is the ShackMeister of fried shallots on a cheeseburger. It is a great burger with the crispy shallots over the meaty burger. The crinkle fries with a cheddar and American cheese sauce were a nice touch of NYC.

The seating area is big and there were two staff helping diners bus their trays and assisting diners to find seats.

My fingers are crossed that the next Shake Shack will be on the Chuo line, maybe in Kichijoji? Tachikawa? Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Ruby and Jack are chef Matthew Crabbe’s grandparents name. Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse is a great spot in the Ark Hills South Tower building. High ceilings, outdoor seating if you want on a spacious terrace. The interior feels very upscale with the white tablecloths, but it’s very friendly and without any attitude. Here is a tomato and blue cheese salad.

Ruby Jack’s Caesar Salad

The Caesar salad is covered with a generous amount of cheese, which is a treat in Japan.

Ruby Jack’s Pork

While it is a steakhouse, I couldn’t resist the Japanese pork. A meaty portion that was just right for lunch.

Ruby Jack’s Burger

I had such a great meal that I went back right away as I wanted to try the burger and fries. It’s a messy burger, as they should be, and with a barbecue sauce. All of the lunch sets come with an appetizer and coffee or tea. Here is my review of Ruby Jack’s for Metropolis magazine.

The wine list is rich and there are several selections under 10,000 JPY. At lunchtime the restaurant is kid-friendly and there is even a kid’s menu. Don’t bother coming if you are a vegetarian, or you may leave hungry.

My only advice is to allow yourself some time to get lost in this area. There are many buildings in the Ark Hills complex and I have been lost here several times.

Walking into Village Voice in Kichijoji I felt like I was up North in Minnesota. The beer signs lining the wood-paneled walls, the beer on tap, and the smell of burgers and fries. It’s a popular spot and we came right after they opened for lunch. Within about fifteen minutes it was packed and then a line started out the front door.

Small bites like chips and avocado or onion rings come out very quickly. The burger follows right after. The burgers are more like one will find at a diner, thin and cooked through. Toppings are generous and it’s a satisfying meal. The cheese are gooey slices, Velveeta perhaps? And even the bun has sesame seeds on it. Small things, but something one would appreciate if they spent anytime eating burgers in the USA. The only downside would be making a special trip here to find a long line. So time your visit wisely, either come early or late, but not at prime meal times.

Village Vanguard Interior

The red bar stools facing the kitchen are a nod to Americana. The other diners this day were all Japanese, many of them girls digging into big burgers with glee. There are many burger shops in Tokyo that are trying to feel like America, this is one spot that has nailed the interior, music, and cuisine.